I'll never forget the day I first noticed something wasn't quite right. It was during a routine workout session when I felt an unusual discomfort in my left testicle. Like many men, I initially brushed it off, hoping it would resolve on its own. Little did I know, this was the beginning of my journey with varicocele.
The First Signs
The initial symptoms were subtle but persistent:
- A burning, aching sensation that worsened throughout the day.
- Throbbing pain on left side of scrotum occasionally. Usually toward end of day.
- Discomfort after standing for long periods.
- A noticeable heaviness on the left side.
- Increased pain during physical activities.
- Warm sensation on lower left side of stomach and occasional light pinching sensation.
The Diagnosis Process
The diagnosis process involved several steps:
- Initial physical examination by my primary care physician
- Referral to a urologist for specialized evaluation
- Possible treatment for epididymitis or other conditions that present similar symptoms.
- Ultrasound imaging to confirm the varicocele and rule out other conditions
- Discussion of treatment options based on the severity and symptoms
Seeking Medical Help
After two months of experiencing these symptoms, I finally decided to see my primary care physician. I had read through my fair share of articles and forums, and I was confident I had varicocele. My doctor performed a physical examination and, based on the symptoms I described, he refered me to a Urologist. After weeks of waiting, I saw the Urologist. Unfortunately for me, he believed I had epididymitis. Epididymitis is an inflammation of the epididymis, a tube located at the back of the testicle, often caused by a bacterial infection and can present with similar symptoms like swelling and discomfort in the scrotum, especially if the infection is mild. The Urologist explained that Varicocele doesn't usually cause pain. As a matter of fact, it was causing me pain as you will see later. I was prescribed a 4-week round of antibiotics and scheduled for a follow-up appointment...
"Don't wait to seek medical attention if you notice persistent discomfort. Your Urologist may need weeks to determine if your varicocele requires surgery."
Pain Management
Spoiler Alert: The antibotics did nothing for me.
I had weeks before I would see the Urologist again, and the antibiotics were not helping. I was in so much pain. I was desperate. I read through many articles and forums about varicocele pain. I found many people who had similar symptoms and were experiencing pain. I read about compression underwear and how they can help with varicocele pain. I decided to give them a try. They helped! If you are in a similar siutation, I have provided links to the different underwear brands I have found to be effective at the bottom of this article. I believe these underwear help because they help support the scrotum and reduce the amount of pressure on the veins. I have compiled a comprehensive review of many scientific studies regarding varicocele pain management, including the use of compression underwear, if you are interested in learning more.
Here are some other things that helped me manage my varicocele pain:
- Compression underwear
- Elevating my groin in a laid down position.
- Ice packs
- Over the counter pain medication
- Sitting in a cold bath
- Horse Chestnut Extract (2 Capsules 2x daily) Can take several weeks to start working, but I believe this was a major factor in my pain relief. Consult with your doctor before you decide to take Horse Chestnut Extract.
This product has good reviews and combines compression underwear with icepacks. check it out if you are interested.
Undeez Compression Briefs with Integrated Ice Pack
Integrated ice packs are a great addition to compression underwear to help reduce varicocele pain.
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View on Amazon
Wouldn't you know it...
After 4-weeks I followed up with my Urologist. At this point my pain had only worsened. I explained that I had read many stories online where other people had a varicocele that caused them pain. Thankfully, my Urologist ordered an ultrasound to confirm the varicocele and rule out other conditions. Wouldn't you know it, the ultrasound confirmed a grade 3 varicocele in the left scrotum.
Moving Forward
After the diagnosis, my urologist and I discussed various management options. Here is the kicker... My Urologist was more concerned with the potential impacts to my fertility more than anything. He still was brushing off that varicocele can cause pain! He said that if I was still considering having children, he would be willing to perform surgery on my varicocele. I think this part is important for you to know. If you find yourself in a similar situation, ensure you center the conversation with your Urologist around fertility and mention that if surgery fixes the pain that is all the better. Most Urologist will likely fall into a similar frame of mind. They do not believe that varicocele can cause pain and yet here we are…
Varicocele Surgery
My doctor decided a bilateral varicocelectomy would be best as it turns out I had grade 1 varicoele in my right scrotum as well. The surgery was performed under general anesthesia. They made a small incision in the groin and then used a laparoscope to perform the surgery. He tied off the varicocele and removed the dilated veins. I was out of the hospital that day. It took about 2 weeks for swelling to subside. In all honesty, the pain from the surgery was not bad considering the relentless pain I had been experiencing. I had some slight pain for about 3 months after the surgery. Since then, my pain is completely gone! There have been occasions where the pain feels like it is starting to come back, but it goes away rather quickly once I take a few horse chestnut capsules. Take that for what you will, but it worked for me. Make sure you talk to your doctor before deciding to try horse chestnut. Sounds like snake oil, but honestly I just want to share what helped me experience pain relief.
Lessons Learned
Looking back, here are the key takeaways from my diagnosis journey:
- Don't ignore persistent discomfort, even if it seems minor
- Keep detailed notes about your symptoms to share with your healthcare provider
- Don't be embarrassed to discuss reproductive health concerns
- You are not alone. There are many people who have been through this and have found relief.